Airdrome



March 8, 1938. J, DE FARIA 2,110,325

IIXIRDROME Filed Feb. 2, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor DeFar/a A tiorneys March 8, 19386 J. G. DE FARIA AIRDROME Filed Feb. 2, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor g: fieZTZ/V By flaw A iiomeys Much was. 'J, E FARM 2,110,325

AIRDROME Filed Feb. 2, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inventor Q Ja-Zd/ /Ez @Mm. I .dgmw 19m A iibrneys Patented Mar. 8, 1938 UNITE s'm PATET OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention appertains to new and useful improvements in airdromes and more particularly to an underground airdrome.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an airdrome built in the main underground so that aircraft can quickly and conveniently drive into the same.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an airdrome which will eliminate the hazardous presence of hangars and other auxiliary buildings at airports, by having all housed facilities located underground.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide an airdrome which will lessen the requirement for large landing fields by providing means whereby the aircraft is retarded and caught in flight and conveyed to the inside of the airdrome where the plane, passengers and shipmerits can get off regardless of weather conditions.

These and various other important objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a fragmentary top plan view of the airdrome.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional View taken substantially on the line 44 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the upper end of the plane catching conveyor.

Figure 7 is a top plan View of the upper portion of the plane catching conveyor, shown partly in section.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that numeral 5 represents the airfield, preferably of concrete reinforced construction under which are the compartments 6 forming the various quarters of the airdrome. This field 5 is provided with a circular opening 1 therein for receiving the rotary assembly 8 which is rotated by machine or conthe hood [0, the same having the mesh covered air inlet l2 and the grilled air outlet l3. Mounted within this tunnel II is the motor I driving the propeller l5 directing air toward the air craft inlet 9. Numeral l6 represents the base of the rotor 8 from which rises the ramp IT to terminate flush with the field 5 and also the ramp i8 rising from the base l6 to terminate flush with the field 5. The upper ends of these ramps l1-I8 are secured to the top IQ of the rotary assembly 8 and from the peripheral portion of this top !9 roller mounts 20 depend with their rollers thereof riding in the annular trackway 2| which is supported by suitable brackets 23. Thus, the rotary assembly 8 is rotatably supported and 15 planes can leave the field and enter the airdrome by way of the ramp H, or leave the airdrome through the field by way of the ramp l8.

Mounted within the lower portion of the rotary assembly 8 is the sprocket wheel 24 and within the top portion of the dome entrance 9 is mounted a second sprocket wheel 25. Over these sprocket wheels 24-45 is trained the endless sprocket chain 26 which is equipped with a pair of swingable eye members 2128 at equal distant 5 positions on the chain, so that when an aircraft 29 equipped with the necessary hook 30 approaches the entrance 9 of the hood I 0 and is slowed down by the draft of air from the propeller l5 and engages the hook 30 into the eye member 30 28, the weight of the aircraft will carry the same down to the base iii of the rotary assembly 8 and while the plane is thus lowering itself to the base it, the eye member 21 has been carried upwardly to replace the eye member 28. In this manner r there is always an eye member 21 or 28 located at the entrance 9 of the hood It]. A search light 3! can be positioned in the entrance 9 for illuminating the adjacent eye member 21 or 28.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention what is claimed as new is:-

1. An airdrome comprising an airfield having a depression therein, a rotary assembly mounted in the depression and having a hood-like structure rising therefrom, said hood-like structure being provided with an aircraft entrance, and means carried by the assembly for lowering an aircraft from the said entrance to the bottom of the said rotary assembly, said means for lowering an aircraft into the rotary assembly consisting of an inclinedly disposed endless element having eye members thereon under which aircrafts can book.

2. In combination, an aircraft having a hook thereon, a subterranean airdrome, an inclinedly disposed endless element having eye members 

